What were some Medicare changes in 2014?

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In 2014, some premiums, co-pays and deductibles changed for Medicare Parts A and D, according to Nolo. The cap on certain services, including physical therapy, speech-language pathology and occupational therapy, and out-of-pocket expenses for Medigap also changed. Part C, or Medicare Advantage, enrollment increased in 2014, claims Kaiser Family Foundation.

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Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan increased by about 9 percent across the United States, notes Kaiser Family Foundation. Though the number of beneficiaries increased, the number of available plan options declined to only 18.

Though almost all Medicare Part A recipients do not pay a monthly premium, for those who do not have enough work credits earned through work history and are required to pay for coverage, the premium dropped by $15 in 2014 to $426 per month, according to USA Today. The prescription drug coverage gap continued to narrow, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act . In 2014, the initial coverage limit was lowered to start at $2,850, notes Nolo. Additionally, the discount on generic drugs sold to Medicare Part D beneficiaries in that coverage gap increased to 28 percent.

The discount on premium drugs, however, remained at 52.5 percent in 2014, according to Nolo. Medicare Part B premiums did not change in 2014, remaining $104.90 per month for recipients who opt for coverage, notes USA Today. The Part B deductible of $147 also remained the same.